SFO Car Rental at San Francisco International Airport

Car Rental at the San Francisco Airport

The San Francisco International Airport is the largest airport in Northern California. Not only does it provide you access to the famous city and its Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco Airport is an excellent location from which to rent a car to explore the Bay Area and beyond. Here is a brief guide to finding the cheapest car rental at the San Francisco Airport.

Important Facts about the San Francisco International Airport

San Francisco International Airport, Physical address: San Francisco, CA 94128, USA

By telephone: 800.435.9736 (toll-free in the United States) or 650.821.8211

International Air Transport Association code: SFO

The San Francisco Airport has 5 terminals that circle the main parking area. Terminals 1, 2, and 3 serve domestic flights, while International A and International G serve international flights. A and G are connected by the International Main Hall. You can travel between each of these terminals using the AirTrain.

The San Francisco Airport offers free internet access.

Car Rental at San Francisco International Airport

Traveling to San Francisco and need a rental car? Look no further than the Rental Car Center at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Here's a quick guide to streamline your experience:

1. Convenience: Rent cars directly at SFO's Rental Car Center.
2. Accessibility: Hop on the AirTrain Blue Line from airport terminals to reach the Rental Car Center swiftly.
3. 24/7 Service: The AirTrain runs continuously, ensuring you can access it anytime.
4. Multiple Stops: AirTrain stops at various locations across the airport, making it easy to navigate.
5. Accessible Locations: AirTrain stations are strategically placed in terminals, parking garages, the Rental Car Center, and SFO's BART station.

Get the Best Deals on Car Rental at SFO Airport at EconomyBookings.com

Car rental at the San Francisco International Airport typically starts at around $30 a day. Over 8 car rental companies serve the San Francisco Airport.

No car rental companies have counters located directly inside the SFO terminals but getting to airport’s Car Rental Center is easy. Just take the blue line of the AirTrain from any of the terminals to the Car Rental Center. The car rental companies that have counters in the SFO Car Rental Center include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, and Thrifty.

Car Rental Near the San Francisco Airport

Car rental companies with service locations near the San Francisco Airport include Advantage and Sixt. To pick up your car hire from car rental companies located near the San Francisco Airport, take the free shuttle from the Car Rental Center. At the Center, you can request that the shuttle come to meet you. It will stop at the Center’s south curb.

Suggestions for Cost-Effective Car Rental at San Francisco International Airport.

The base price for most economy car rentals is $30 a day, though this price typically goes up in the most popular summer months, especially July. Book your rental car at least four months in advance in order to receive the best deals on SFO rental cars.

Advantage and E-Z Rent are the companies that typically offer the best prices on rental cars at the San Francisco International Airport. Keep an eye out for EconomyBookings.com discounts of around 17% that keep the price of rental cars low in San Francisco.

San Francisco Airport Car Rental Return

The SFO Car Rental Center is situated to the north of the airport premises. When approaching the airport from the north on state highway 101 for car return, continue past the terminal exits. For those returning via interstate 380, take the South Airport Boulevard exit. Make a right turn, then proceed as directed by the signage leading to the Car Rental Center. When returning your rented vehicle, please park in the designated customer parking area.

Remember that it can sometimes take around 30 minutes to return a rental car! Especially if you have rented your car from an off-site company, such as Advantage, you will want to budget some extra time to return your rental car to the San Francisco Airport. Don’t forget to request that the shuttle linking Advantage to SFO come to pick you up immediately.

San Francisco Airport Car Rental Information

1. The speed limits in the vicinity of San Francisco have been decreased to 55 miles per hour (88 kilometers per hour) in an effort to minimize vehicular emissions within the city. The majority of roads in San Francisco have a speed limit of 25 mph (40 km/h), with the possibility of certain streets seeing a reduction to 20 mph in the coming years.
2. The major bridges connecting San Francisco to the mainland require payment of toll fees. Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge is particularly costly, typically costing approximately $8. The toll for the Golden Gate Bridge is automatically charged to your rental car company. Other bridges in the San Francisco area also require toll fees, usually in the west-bound direction through toll booths. The standard toll for these bridges is $5, but this rate may vary during peak times or be reduced if there are 2 or more passengers in your rental car. Check with your rental car provider to see if your vehicle is equipped with a FasTrak transponder for streamlined and cost-effective passage on all toll roads and bridges in the region.

How to Park Your Rental Car in San Francisco

• 72 Hour Maximum: Regular-sized vehicles can park in one spot for up to 72 hours without being cited for overtime parking unless there are specific restrictions.
• 18 Inches from the Curb: When parking parallel, ensure your wheels are within 18 inches of the curb.
• Face the Flow of Traffic: Park in the direction of traffic flow.
• Curb Your Tires on Hills: Angle your wheels appropriately to prevent rolling.
• Check Your Bumpers: Ensure they don't extend into driveways, crosswalks, or color zones.
• Check for Signs: Always verify posted parking and street sweeping times.
• Don't Park in the Same Place in Permit Areas: Move your vehicle after the posted time limit.
• Parking is Allowed After Sweeping: Park after street sweeping is completed.
• Watch for Tow-Away Zones: Some parking zones may become tow-away zones during specific hours.
• Driveways, Sidewalks, and Crosswalks: Avoid blocking driveways, sidewalks, and crosswalks.
• Watch For Crosswalks: Don't park in marked or unmarked crosswalks.
• Disabled Placards: With proper placards, park in designated zones but observe restrictions.
• Permits & Street Sweeping: Follow regulations for parking permits and street sweeping to avoid citations.
• Exercising Courtesy: Follow parking etiquette to be considerate to others.